Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Dual courtyards flank the main living room in Marcella Kaspar and Mark Cooper's open-air home. On one side is the pool and lovely gnarly old frangipani. On the other, a pond and garden planted with black bamboo.
When looking for property near Coogee, Australia, Marcella Kaspar and her husband, Mark Cooper, had an advantage—she’s an artist and he’s a designer, so they could look beyond the obvious. “I grew up in Coogee not far from this property,” says Kaspar. “We were really lucky no one else besides us seemed that interested in it. We absolutely loved it and we could see the potential.”
Working as a team, Kaspar and Cooper created a beautiful, unique new home based on the premise of five-star resort living. “We love the concept of the indoor and outdoor areas merging, so the house was oriented around a central courtyard with a pool,” says Kaspar. “This means the house is always cool in summer, and we enjoy the wonderful play of light as reflections from the water move through the interior spaces.”
Both work from home, so they wanted to create a space that is beautiful and inspirational. Having renovated previously, Kaspar and Cooper knew what they wanted in this house and were no-fuss in their approach.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Artist Marcella Kaspar in her light-filled studio
Clever design incorporates cross-ventilation as well as an open floor plan centered around a courtyard. Walls and floors were treated as canvases for Kaspar’s striking and dramatic artworks and the couple’s collection of eclectic furniture and decorative pieces.
“One of the most important factors in designing the house was to make sure we had large walls to feature my artworks. We wanted to make sure that we could see the flower paintings from all different angles and from different areas,” says Kaspar. “It was important to include the colors of nature that show up in my large-scale flower paintings.”
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
The charcoal-colored stucco finish was mixed to Kaspar’s specifications. The round marble-topped table was bought many years ago in Indonesia. The artist added green crystal drops to the vintage chandelier.
“I am inspired by the colors and tones of flowers, especially peonies, and the colors of the house were inspired by the large painting I had in mind for the living room.”
—Marcella Kaspar
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Kaspar’s "Out of the Darkness" painting hangs above the bed, where Chilli the Burmese cat enjoys the sun that filters through the French doors. The lamps are made from vintage Portuguese wine bottles, and the bedside tables are antique Chinese carved rosewood.
The couple chose rough-hewn granite tiles for the floors throughout the house and granite with a honed finish for the kitchen counter and backsplash. Walls were painted in cocooning charcoal tones, while a wax finish was used on the ceilings. Working with color every day in her work, Kaspar had the paint colors mixed to her specifications and loves the idea that they are unique to the space.
“It’s also a great house for entertaining,” she adds. “I especially love the house at night with candles and dimmed lighting and with the pool lit up.”
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
A bath boasts a David Trubridge pendant light and a stunning mother-of-pearl inlay double vanity with matching mirrors.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
A bedroom enjoys close proximity to the prized frangipani tree.
Born in Prague, where she lived until she was 10 before moving to Australia, Kaspar admits to having a passion for vintage crystal and fine glass inspired by her grandparents and their extensive collection. In her own home, colorful vintage glasses, Portuguese wine-bottle lamps, and decorative crystal chandeliers mingle with more contemporary timber-veneer pendant lights by New Zealand designer David Trubridge.
Oversize sofas covered in Belgian linen are filled with throw pillows made by Kaspar from vintage Japanese obi cloth and Varanasi saris found on her travels. Perhaps the most prized possession is the 100-year-old frangipani tree that cost the couple a small fortune to have transported and craned onto the site after Cooper saw it while driving past an abandoned block in the southern suburbs. It took four men to dig it up and a year of tender loving care to see it get through the move and back to full health. Now the tree, like the home’s other inhabitants, enjoys the sublime serenity of courtyard living.
MORE ROOMS AND DETAILS
Click images to enlarge.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
“We love living amongst the courtyard gardens, and the elements of water and privacy are an essential part of the design.”—Marcella Kaspar
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
The pendant light is by New Zealand designer David Trubridge. The kitchen table was originally an old Chinese door.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
With the openness of the spaces, light is reflected back into the house. Neutral tones were used throughout to balance Kaspar’s strong artworks.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
“I love every part of the house and the different vignettes you get throughout,” says Kaspar.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Lounging mats receive shade from the abundant black bamboo.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Oversize sofas upholstered in Belgian linen are topped with cushions made by Marcella Kaspar from Japanese obi cloth and Indian silk saris. The painting by Kaspar, titled “A Thousand Secrets,” is oil on linen.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
A mother-of-pearl inlay chest of drawers is topped with small paintings by Kaspar in matching frames; the painting behind was a gift.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Watery reflections create a magical effect against a wall.
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Mother-of-pearl inlay double vanity with matching mirrors
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
A piece from Kaspar’s extensive collection of glass
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
A basket of brushes in Kaspar’s studio
Photo by Simon Kenny | Living Inside
Basil in a vintage glass container
By Karen Cotton | Photography by Simon Kenny/Living Inside
