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Interior designer Samantha Eisen — founder and creative director of her eponymous design firm — has a particular knack for dramatic features, statement rooms and crafting contemporary interiors that still exude warmth and a sense of familiarity.
But when it came to designing her own holiday house on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, what was usually so clear in terms of direction for her clients was not quite as straightforward.
‘I think my greatest challenge was just simply achieving a vision that was my own, as for any designer it can be difficult to edit and choose from so many ideas in your head and which path to follow,’ Samantha explains. ‘I had to try and test absolutely everything which meant we were designing and changing things multiple times before we landed on the direction for the project.’
It’s safe to say that her diligence paid off. After a year of renovations, the weekend retreat is everything Samantha hoped it would be — cosy, elegant and brimming with character and charm.
She purchased the Tuscan-style farmhouse in the rural hamlet of Tuerong four years ago, with the intention of transforming it into a glamorous weekender and horse hobby farm for her and her family.
Although the original architecture provided great bones to work with, Samantha says the house lacked authenticity, history and character, and any views or outlook to bring the beautiful surrounding landscape inside.
So, she retained the limestone floors throughout the kitchen and dining area to create more of a historic feel, coupling them with polished plaster and textured rendered walls for a patinated effect and European vibe. Reclaimed French timber ceiling beams found in a wreckers yard also added character and soul to this space.
‘Drawing on nostalgia for much of the decorative language, I infused the spaces with memories of childhood experiences in my grandparent’s country house, also on the Peninsula — a place I spent much of my time growing up,’ Samantha says. ‘We wanted to strike the right balance between old and new.’
Each room is unique in its own way — from the mint and white chequered tiling contrasting the green candy striped wallpaper in the mud room, to the accent botanical wallpapers in the bedrooms, Samantha’s attention to detail is palpable.
‘We found the line between decoration and modernity, and I feel really proud of that because I wanted to have layers, wallpapers, colours and patterns, but in a restrained way,’ she adds. ‘It’s these details and allowing colour that create a visual memory of a place or experience.’
Still, the home stays true to its purpose as an idyllic retreat where Samantha and her family can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
