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Chris and Arabella Wilson and Family

Homes

TODAY we share a very special family home, at Jan Juc on the Victorian surf coast.

This property, nestled amongst towering gum trees, belongs to fashion designer Arabella Wilson (you may know her better by her maiden name – Arabella Ramsay, now designing kidswear under her own label – Dougal), Chris Wilson (of Yoke Yoga studio) and their two young daughters Marlowe and Lottie.  ‘Rustic Robinson Crusoe’ never looked so good!

21st September, 2016

Jan Juc home of Chris and Arabella Wilson. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Staircase details. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The Jan Juc home of Chris and Arabella Wilson. Above – kitchen and dining areas. Dining table by Mark Tuckey, retro tulip lamps from 1stDibs, Aga stove from Aga Australia, and PET lamps. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Arabella with her youngest daughter Lottie. (Lottie wears sweatshirt from Arabella’s kids label, Dougal) Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Study detail. Photo by Tom Ramsay, shag embroidered horse cushion from 1stDibs. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Living room. Couch from MCM house, painting by Michael Muir, rug from Loom, cushion from 1stDibs and framed photography by Slim Aarons. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen details with subway style tiles splash back, Aga stove. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Quilt from Arabella’s mum and hand beaded chair from Africa. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen and dining areas. Dining table by Mark Tuckey, retro tulip lamps from 1stDibs, Aga stove from Aga Australia, and PET lamps. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kids’ bedroom. Antique wooden beds from Sydney Antique Centre, artwork from Outré. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

TV room. PET lamps, quilt belonging to Arabella’s mother, and little Lottie on the couch with the family dog. (Lottie wears sweatshirt from Arabella’s kids label, Dougal!) Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Arabella and Chris Wilson have lived in this sprawling, rustic property in Jan Juc on Victoria’s surf coast for just over 5 years. The house was relatively new when they bought it, originally designed by Melbourne based Zen Architects and built sustainably with mud-rendered straw bale walls, and recycled materials – such as solid timber pillars reclaimed from the old Geelong Pier.

Since moving in, Arabella and Chris have put their own stamp on the place, softening the interiors slightly with the addition of blonde timber floorboards, a re-configured kitchen with cabinetry in a beautiful delicate blue, and sweet handcrafted details, such as the clusters of PET pendant lamps – the perfect finishing touch in these serene, earthy surrounds.

Arabella’s distinctive design aesthetic is apparent throughout the home, which she endearingly describes as ‘Rustic Robinson Crusoe’!  She has a passion for vintage textiles, in particular patchwork quilts, many of which have been collected by her Mum, who is a talented seamstress. In fact, Arabella’s whole family seem to be creatively gifted (!) – her brother’s photographs feature throughout her home, whilst her Dad, Dougal Ramsay, is an incredible illustrator whose quirky drawings have inspired many of the textiles in Arabella’s kidswear label, Dougal.

As serial entrepreneurs and busy parents, both Arabella and Chris appreciate the change of pace that comes with living out of town. Having previously been based in Melbourne, the tranquility here is something the pair never take for granted. ‘Hearing the surf when you go to sleep, and waking up to the birds in the morning…. these simple things are what I love…’ Arabella says. ‘It’s a lovely house to have a family in, its secluded and at one with nature, our weekends are spent laying in hammocks or sitting around the fire pit.’

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The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net