Zeenat Wilkinson's Seventies City Fringe Sanctuary
A classic seventies home can mean three things. A weatherboard exterior, exposed beams and a tongue and groove ceiling. It was these facets that drew Zeenat Wilkinson and her husband to the property. “We wanted something that had a bit of character and wasn’t too far from the city,” explains Zeenat. Not to mention, this Beach Haven home has an idyllic view. The home overlooks a valley of native bush canopy and you can catch a glimpse of Soldiers Bay as you stand on the sun-drenched deck. All-day sun leaks into the open plan living space upstairs and warms the bedrooms on the level below. There is something special about this home. “Admittedly it was a bit of an impulse buy!” adds Zeenat.
It seems as though this gamble paid off. After a lick of paint throughout the home, Zeenat has refreshed the seventies aesthetic with a modern, minimalist take. It was important this home evoked a personal sense of home style, rather than replication. Particularly amidst the endless amount of interior inspiration on social media. “I wanted to ensure the space felt bright and airy. I also wanted a considered approach to the artwork that we put on the walls,” she says. “We worked with the bones of the property. And we kept it simple with the furniture we purchased and have used soft furnishings and prints as a means to inject personality.”
The eye-catching built in bookshelf amplifies Zeenat’s eye for interiors. And it cleverly serves as a divide between the living space and a home office nook. “I wanted the shelves covered in books and plants. But I couldn’t keep any plants alive, so we turned to vintage cameras, plenty of candles and the Menu lamp to build the space,” Zeenat explains. The Nebraska rug adds comfort and grounds the large sofa and oak framed armchairs.
In this retro property, a brightly coloured or axminster carpet may have been more in keeping. Yet the couple’s modern aesthetic meant a luxury weight soft touch nylon carpet fit the bill. “We looked at a few options at our local Flooring Xtra. And then we came across the Excelsior range. We loved the softness and texture it offered,” says Zeenat. “It is like walking on a cloud!” Perhaps a little nod to the shag pile of the seventies after all! Simple oak furniture throughout the bedrooms keeps these spaces feeling calm and inviting. Walls painted in Dulux Mt Aspiring Quarter ensure that the bedrooms capture the beautiful all-day sun. Zeenat adds: “It’s a risk-free choice in colour but there’s nothing better than having a blank canvas to make a home with.” We couldn’t help but agree.
