Nostalgic Escape: Foam House in Torquay by Amelda Wilde.

When Amelda Wilde’s client came across this property, it was exactly what they were looking for—a quintessential Torquay home that transported them back to childhood vacations on the coast of Victoria. Now boutique holiday accommodation, the design indulges the sense of nostalgia and channels it into a space for escapism.

With the near-original house as a reference, Amelda delved into the Passé with finishes like amber glass, wallpaper, tile bench tops, cork and copper evoking strong memories of early 1980s interiors. One of the key sources of inspiration was Luis Barragan’s pink kitchen— taking note this was the first space to be designed, and the palette evolved from there.

Casa Rubens in San Lorenzo del Escorial by Estudio Reciente.

Touches of bright colours that draws on summer dreams and nostalgic colours in this a lovely holiday home for a family of four...

All of the finishes were selected for robustness and timeless aging. The copper range hood was fabricated by a local steel fabricator, Von Steel, using antiquity folded forms, and designed to develop a natural patina more beautiful as time goes on. “The copper range hood is developing a lovely patina, and the amber glazing is a material I will never tire of,” Amelda elaborates. Layered on top is vintage furniture and locally sourced artwork used to subtly add a local identity while adding extra wistfulness.

The experience begins from the arrival at the gate as the garden connects beautifully with the interiors. Inside a plantasia wallpaper is matched with an equally absurd full-scale porcelain Collie. An internal courtyard creates a visual connection with all the social spaces, from games room to living and dining.

Polished, Grown-up & a Little Bit Wild: Birch Selsdon Hotel by A-nrd.

Once a 19th-century gothic-style mansion, its most recent transformation is steeped in sustainability and craft. And a little bit of glamour...

The wallpaper continues into the bedrooms which were designed to be memorable and distinct from one another. From acid green plaid to horses and goats, no two are alike beyond their country and high kitsch charm. Patterns continue in the bathroom with a bath cast from concrete lined with bisazza mosaic tiles matched with terrazzo floors and deep olive wall tiles.

If the brief was to create an immersive and memorable space that feels homely but certainly not your home this has hit the nail on the head. “It was an immersive project to establish such a valiant and eclectic atmosphere, rich in considerations and irreverent detailing, ” Amelda concludes. Irreverent indeed.

Greyleigh: A Colourful 200-Acre Farmstay in Kiama by Duet.

About two hours from Sydney, just as the rolling hills and endless ocean drown out the din of the city, is a 200-acre farm once known for its dairy...

[Images courtesy of Amelda Wilde. Photography by Cricket Saleh.]