The Byron Modern Blueprint | Elevating Coastal Living with a Sydney Edge
There’s a common misconception that happens the moment we cross the bridge into the Northern Rivers. We think that to live by the coast, we have to surrender our love for the sophisticated, the sculptural, and the contemporary. We think we have to trade in our "Sydney soul" for white-on-white linens and a basket in every corner.
But a home shouldn’t feel like a costume you’ve put on just because you’ve changed postcodes.
The Tension Between Refined and Raw
When I moved from Sydney, I brought my love for refined European silhouettes and a certain "urban edge" with me. What I’ve discovered is that the most beautiful homes in Byron aren't the ones that follow the coastal rules, they’re the ones that break them.
"Byron Modern" is about that tension between the refined and the raw. It’s the weight of a heavy, sculptural travertine table sitting on a weathered timber floor. It’s a clean, contemporary sofa softened by the irregular, tactile weave of a vintage linen. It’s about using beautiful, oversized ceramics to ground a high-end architectural build.
It’s a more "grown-up" way to live by the sea. It’s curated, it’s intentional, and it’s deeply personal. It’s not just a look, it’s a feeling of being completely at home in your surroundings without losing the edge that makes your style yours.
The High Cost of the "DIY" Myth
We’ve all been there. You walk into a beautiful empty space, perhaps a new build you’ve waited years for and your first thought is, "I’ve got this. I know what I like."
But then the "Blank Canvas Paralysis" sets in. You start scrolling through endless tabs, and suddenly, the dream becomes a series of high-stakes guesses. Without a cohesive roadmap, the "DIY" route quickly leads to the expensive mid-point mistake.
It starts with proportions and dimensions - that rug that looked expansive online arrives and feels like a postage stamp in your oversized living room. You buy a "coastal" sofa that looked great in a showroom, but against your contemporary architecture, it looks like a misplaced marshmallow.
Then there is the technical fatigue. Navigating 20 week lead times only to have a piece arrive that doesn’t work with your colour palette because the undertones of the timber fight with your flooring. You’re managing multiple deliveries, assembling of furniture, and installations, only to realise that something is missing. The lighting feels cold, the acoustics are off, and despite the investment, the room lacks soul. It feels like a showroom of disconnected items, not a sanctuary.
Why the "Final 10%" Matters
Design isn't just about buying beautiful things; it’s about the architectural flow and the relationship between objects. It’s about space and proportion, knowing how to balance a high-end sculptural curve with the right raw texture to ground it.
In reality, my role as a designer is about so much more than just picking out the right sofa. It’s about doing the heavy lifting so you don't have to.
I’m here to be your eyes and ears on the ground, the person who vets the suppliers, tracks the lead times, and manages those inevitable logistical hiccups that can make a project feel so heavy. It’s a complex process that requires a lot of 'hand-holding,' from figuring out the technical flow of a room to making sure every delivery and installation is handled with care.
Moving or building is inherently overwhelming, there are a thousand tiny decisions that can quickly lead to decision fatigue. I see my job as protecting your peace of mind, your energy and your investment. You’ve put so much of yourself into this build already. I’m here to make sure that final layer is seamless, intentional, and ultimately feels like the sanctuary you imagined