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From humble beginnings as a tiny online business selling vintage fashion, Gary Pepper Girl Nicole Warne is now a fashion juggernaut in her own right and an Australian icon on the world fashion stage. We take a look at her happy place.
It’s no secret that Nicole Warne has style. At the heart of her brand is the inimitable bravura that has formed the foundation for the hard work and determination that has seen her career enjoy a stratospheric rise to establish her as a household name, brand ambassador and ‘It’ girl about town wherever she goes on the globe.
With over 2 million followers on social media, the most talked about wedding this year and an incredible career in fashion and beauty that takes her to every glamorous event and destination in the world – constantly in the public eye – we begin to wonder what a little downtime looks like, Gary Pepper Girl style…
Eighteen months ago, Nicole and her photographer husband and long-time love Luke Shadbolt bought a 1970’s beachside holiday house and have been renovating it slowly to create their ‘forever home’, with plans for a bigger extension down the track. With the couple now living out their dreams in New York, Nicole always stays true to her Australian roots and has lately found herself dreaming of her North Avoca home in NSW and for the first time has shared a glimpse inside…
It all starts with an eye for detail and quality – Nicole and Luke designed the home themselves with a sure sense of style and the ability to pare things back to the necessities. With the help of local friends and makers have imbued the home with heart and handmade touches – timber features walls, white-washed floorboards, black detailing and a collection of indoor plants cascading greenery here and there.
At the centre of the space is the divine custom-made dining table – a masterful slab of hardwood timber found on Gumtree, dressed to perfection and set atop an elegant and robust black metal frame. Hugged by a clutch of leather upholstered tubs chairs that invite long meals shared in comfort and camaraderie, it’s where you want to be.
“I used to travel most of the year so time at home was my safe haven, my sanctuary, and my sanity, which is why I was always so protective about sharing it.”
Nicole Warne on Instagram
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The split-level space has a cosy loft library space hovering above the light and bright living area. Glass balustrading keeps the sight lines open to the timber-lined ceilings and links the spaces together visually. The ladder was made by Luke and the timber work was done by Melbourne furniture studio @softerstudio.
An upholstered bench seat is cleverly positioned under a large picture window to take in the views and offer a quiet escape whilst still remaining connected to the living space.
Soaring exposed beams draw the eye upwards to a pitched apex to create a calm, yet dramatic interior flow that is anchored in nature and floods the interiors with tones of natural light.
The result is a tranquil, open-hearted space with a style that is equal parts Nordic, Japanese and coastal chic with, dare we say a Japandi feel? In any case, it’s quintessentially real and Australian at the heart, just like the couple themselves. Surely forming a welcoming retreat from their busy, cosmopolitan life.
We look forward to watching the next chapter unfold.
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