It's difficult to believe that the winding, bumpy, often single-lane road that leads to Tara Dennis's home by the river is just an hour and a bit from Sydney's heart. Dwarfed by giant gum trees with peaks and bends that put fear into the hearts of the uninitiated, this road is often engulfed in fog or crossed by the odd wallaby.
"The other night, there was an echidna going across it," smiles the long-time TV presenter, interior designer and owner of Pepperwhites homewares store in Sydney's Balmain.
Taking inspiration from the old river shacks and oyster farms nearby, Tara and her husband, Martyn were determined to create a home that blended seamlessly into the rugged environment and could easily be mistaken for one that might have been here for years.
"We wanted it to feel like an older style house, like an old weekender," says Martyn, who used sandstone, recycled materials and timber (there's not a hint of plasterboard here) to create charm and authenticity.
Furnishings in subdued and muted blues, naturals and greys to blend with classic forms and allow the view to be the star of the show.
"You want to see the water," says Tara. "You don't want to see the lounge or the furniture – it's about what's out there, not what's in here."
It's a restful yet inspirational mix that's part Hamptons, part French countryside, a touch Scandinavian – but all Tara.
