A spontaneous purchase of a weatherboard house provides a melting pot of coastal inspiration
Meet & greet
Monique Ryan-Musacchio, (African artisan homewares and handmade goods importer), husband Andrea, daughter Mati, five, Jackson the Labrador, and cats, Pip and Nala.
The property
Five-bedroom. renovated post-war weatherboard bungalow with ocean views.
Some buy a property sight unseen, trusting on blind faith. But not everyone buys a property spontaneously at an auction – a place they hadn’t even known existed until a few minutes before the final clang of the hammer.
“I’m not sure if we found this house or if the house found us,” Monique Ryan-Musacchio says, fondly recalling that pivotal moment. A heavily pregnant Monique and husband Andrea were a week away from starting demolition on a fisherman’s cottage they owned. One day, on a whim, they decided to take a drive to the beach, stumbling upon an auction for a house high up on the plateau.
“After a 30-second property inspection and a winning bid, it was ours,” Monique says.
A year later, the couple moved in and began work on the post-war weatherboard house. The original bungalow was extended 20 years ago, so the pair have been renovating it to restore the essence of a beach house. “We call this weatherboard ‘cottage in the sky’ La Casa Bianca,” Monique says, paying homage to Andrea’s Italian roots. “The house was run-down and dirty when we bought it, and being white, the dirt really shows. It’s quite old, so a lot of our immediate work was on the aesthetics.”
The resulting renovation is a meeting of the minds between Monique and Andrea’s cultures, from “the tropics of East Africa and Malawi, where I was born, to the classical country style of English cottages, because I lived in the UK for a while, and the charm of rustic Italian rural homes from my husband’s childhood.” All this heritage now welcomes the pair’s shared beach lifestyle into the mix, providing a laidback approach to life and love.
Sailor style
“The style I’m creating is Nantucket coastal casual,” says Monique. “Any structural or decorating choice has to pass my test question: “Would you expect this in a holiday beach house?” And there’s an emotional side to it too – I want to recreate that magical feeling of childhood holiday memories.”
If there’s one consistent element that runs through the home, it’s the cane furniture that Monique imports from Malawi through her importing business. “I’m biased, I suppose, but I really value the quality and craftsmanship of these handmade pieces.”
The other theme, she admits, is “white, white and white”. Preferring cooler shades, Monique plays with the percentages of black in her whites to manufacture brightness or moodiness, depending on where the sunlight hits in the room. “Even with all the white, the house is made entirely from wood, so it naturally feels warmer. In winter, we find any excuse to use our beautiful but understated fireplace. To smell the wood smoke when you’re outside and hear the crackles when you’re cosied up under blankets on the sofa is bliss,” Monique says.
Shelving solutions
Storage and display act as a huge part of the home.
Monica estimates there’s around 54 shelves in the living room, saying, “I always try to fill them well.” The shelves are crammed with hidden gems picked up from lazy days on the shore or treasured finds from local shops. “What started as a collection of espresso cups soon grew into an addiction,” admits Monique, noting the evolution of her ceramics collection over the past 10 years. “My approach to decorating is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Take the time to shop around, research online and don’t rush into anything – shop wisely and build over time.”
Outdoor oasis
Renovating the entry courtyard was high on Monique and Andrea’s list of priorities, and was one of the more major changes they made. “We completely transformed it into a Tuscan paradise,” says Monique. “Where there used to be an under-stair cupboard, I designed and had built a concrete slab to house the traditional wood-fired pizza oven and barbecue.” And now it’s an area that gets plenty of use. “We have pizza as a family or with friends a couple of times a month.” The pair also put weatherboards on the garage, tying the theme of the house off in one tidy swoop.
Bedroom sanctuary
Monique’s bedroom is a relaxing retreat. It opens onto a balcony where she often sits in the morning to watch the sun rise and the local wildlife start their day. Vaulted ceilings keep the room bright and airy. Along the walls, behind rustic timber doors, is hidden storage. “Both sides of the main bedroom are entirely built-in ‘secret’ wardrobes, floor to ceiling, front to back,” she says. “Unless I point it out, most people never realise they are there.” The little dressing table reminds Monique of an old writing desk, and safari camps in her home continent of Africa.
“I like the romance surrounding them,” Monique says. The bed is layered in textural materials – she likes natural linen but looks for reasonably priced brands such as Zara Home.
A new way of life
The couple now happily spend summers under the sun in their little slice of paradise, enjoying every moment as it comes. On hot afternoons, Monique works with her laptop out in the courtyard as a way to unwind. When winter beckons, she layers on faux fur throws and finds “any excuse” to light the wood fire.
“Our home is an inspiring space and a place to relax. When you walk in, there’s the instant feeling of being on holiday and away from the norms of life,” she says.
Her best tip to all other inspiring renovators is to practice restraint. “You may have selected a style but step back and start with the colour palette and textures. Then surround yourself with things you love, have collected over time and reflect who you are.”
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