Basecamp
Swathed in soothing shades of green, brown and terracotta, Basecamp feels like a painterly extension of its coastal surroundings.
Avalon Beach, a community-minded enclave nestled between Pittwater and the sea, moves to the rhythm of the breeze – calm, unhurried and deeply connected to nature. It’s here, within this tranquil corner of New South Wales, that Claire Perini of Sydney-based showroom Composition reimagined a house for herself and her family. Set on a tree-lined street, just a block back from the village, the mid-century home sits quietly beneath the canopy of ancient angophoras that frame its unassuming facade.
Perini’s approach was deliberately experimental – an ever-evolving dialogue between materials, finishes and the Australian landscape. She retained the home’s original shiplap ceilings and panelled walls, drawing out their warmth through a palette of greens, browns and terracotta, accented with brass that nods to the Australian sun. A mid-century specialist, Perini was inspired by Alvar Aalto’s own home in Finland, treating Basecamp as a living, breathing canvas that would gather layers of history and material richness over time – a tiled wall here, a rosewood unit there. The garden, equally considered, has been replanted with over 300 species of native flora, inviting an abundance of wildlife back to the site. Each room opens to aspects of this thriving bushland, guiding movement between indoors and out, echoing Perini’s deep affection for the landscape.
Inside, her aesthetic is warm and richly personal – a thoughtful blend of mid-century antiques, global finds and contemporary craftsmanship. Maple, Oregon and tallow timbers create a golden base for loose furnishings in European woods, while accents of brass and artworks by Damien Hirst and Jean Arp lend a quiet opulence. Floors of original tallowwood meet terracotta and Japanese tiles in the wet areas, while a slab of Bolivian green marble forms a feature wall in the main bedroom. Porters Paints in tonal shades of Timberline wash the walls and ceilings, colour-drenching rooms in calm, earthy hues.
The house opens through a skylit garden entry, where brass-edged apertures in Oregon shiplap ceilings bathe the living and dining area in soft light. Exposed brick walls, a sandstone fireplace and a 1960 Kai Kristiansen rosewood wall unit set the tone for a home that celebrates its mid-century bones while embracing contemporary warmth. A green-framed opening connects the room to the galley kitchen, where terracotta tiles, Atlas green marble counters and a beautifully patinated brass sink define a space designed for conviviality.
Downstairs, the former garage now serves as an art studio inspired by Perini’s travels, with ultramarine ceilings, terracotta floors and pivot doors opening onto a new deck framed by Burle Marx-style garden beds. Bedrooms retain their quiet simplicity, while the surrounding garden – terraced with repurposed sandstone and Corten planters – thrives with over 300 native species, leading from one hidden nook to another in a seamless dialogue between architecture and landscape.
For Perini, Basecamp is more than a family home – it’s a creative statement, a testing ground and a living archive of design ideas. It captures the spirit of Avalon Beach itself: grounded in nature, open to change and quietly, beautifully evolving with time.
Interior design by Composition. Landscape design by Pointe Group in collaboration with Composition. Stone by Artedomus. Tiles by Artedomus and Academy Tiles. Artwork by Damien Hirst and Jean Arp.
