Coopers Shoot
Offering a modern and sophisticated take on the barn-style homestead, Coopers Shoot by Langlois Design is a serene family retreat inspired by the spectacular Byron Bay hinterland.
The opportunity to try something a little bit different with this project intrigued interior designer Danielle Langlois, founder of Langlois Design. “If you look at my portfolio, there’s usually lots of colour and pattern,” she says. “Part of the challenge with this project was to pare it back. You don’t always have to go bold – you can still get that same thrill in a more refined way.” Channelling the rural charm of the region – a quiet, picturesque pocket between Byron and Bangalow – with the relaxed luxury of a boutique retreat was key to Coopers Shoot’s success.
Langlois distilled the formal elements – gable roofs, open layouts and high-pitched ceilings – into something more simple and refined.
The clients’ robust, creative vision made the process a very collaborative one. “They had a strong idea of what they wanted in terms of the architectural style, which was the barn vernacular – part-American, part-European – brought into the Australian context,” she says. Working with an existing concept developed by building designer Ron Johnson, Langlois distilled the formal elements – gable roofs, open layouts and high-pitched ceilings – into something more simple and refined, which could also encompass the needs of daily life.
Designed for a family of four – including a daughter with a passion for horse riding – the property comprises three distinct volumes. The main residence contains the shared living and dining zones and is connected to the private bedroom wing. Nearby, the smaller Coach House offers accommodation for guests, as well as a horse stall. The central outdoor space includes a lap pool and entertaining area, while a freestanding bath is tucked just out of view for secluded alfresco bathing.
Crafted from recycled materials, the pale handmade bricks have an almost hay-like texture that also spoke beautifully to the surrounding environment.
As the site sits on a ridgeline, the exteriors needed to be resilient to wind and weather. “The Lutyens bricks from Natural Brick were a really great starting point for us,” says Langlois. Crafted from recycled materials, the pale handmade bricks have an almost hay-like texture that also spoke beautifully to the surrounding environment.
The bricks define the exterior of the bedroom wing and also appear in the fireplace and wraparound bench in the main living area, creating a subtle continuity between inside and out.
While the main residence was under construction, the Coach House was built to serve as the family’s temporary home. With timber joinery, polished concrete floors and a deep teal hue that saturates the space, it has a cosier, more rustic feel. “When the clients lived there during the build, I think it created this really nice memory for them – all co-existing in that small, intimate space together.” That sense of closeness and warmth was something the interior designer wanted to carry into the rest of the project. “We’ve used the same teal in the media room in the main house as well. It brings back those feelings of the cosiness of the Coach House.”
The interior palette of the main residence plays with the contrast between raw and refined, thoughtfully layering reclaimed timber, richly veined marble, aged brass and bluestone cobblestones. This material mix is most apparent in the open-plan kitchen and living area, which Langlois notes is her favourite space. “It has everything I love – lots of high drama but it’s calm. If you look closely, every surface is different but it’s really well balanced.” Large, sliding barn doors on both sides of the space can be completely opened up, allowing the room to feel like a breezy, outdoor pavilion.
The timber elements in Coopers Shoot also add to its charm and character. Local artisans handcrafted the bespoke kitchen joinery and island, as well as the bedside tables in the main bedroom and bunk beds in the Coach House. French oak floors, timber ceilings and reclaimed Oregon lintels above the fireplace and stovetop help contrast with the marble and tiled surfaces and keep the tone warm and intimate.
It was important for Langlois to balance the open, shared spaces with quieter, more intimate zones for retreat. “What the clients say most is that they love how you can escape,” she says.
The main suite feels like a private sanctuary, with expansive views over the hills and an ensuite that channels boutique hotels through chequered tiles, a striking marble vanity and marble-lined door frames. Meanwhile, the children’s bedrooms introduce a more playful energy through the use of patterned wallpaper. “We chose the wallpapers with them. That was about having something a little bit more expressive in their rooms while keeping the rest of the house cohesive to the overall look.”
The outcome is a modern take on the barn typology that feels rich and atmospheric, reflecting the calm beauty of the hinterland and the joy of shared time with family. “The feeling of home should be like a warm embrace,” says Langlois, “and I think the house definitely achieves that.”
