Love Letter to Lorne – PICO by Georgina Jeffries

Restored through the professional design lens of the homeowner, PICO seamlessly integrates existing heritage features with a love for the surrounding natural elements. Georgina Jeffries and her partner Troy Fynmore of Dirt Landscapes combine their instinctive and honed practices to transform the early 1900s home into a warm, contemporary dwelling that perfectly captures coastal living.

Set in the restful and restorative town of Lorne along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, PICO is the transformation of an existing weatherboard cottage into a vibrant and animated residence. In a twist of fate, owners Georgina and Troy discovered the aged gem in 2015, and without it even being on the market, decided to purchase and carefully restore the residence to its former glory. Inspired by the home’s existing charm and character, piecing together shards of its past with a more modern approach became a labour of love for the owners. As her own residential sanctuary, Georgina brought a bespoke style together with her partner’s landscape and construction background to handcraft the resulting abode.

Inspired by the home’s existing charm and character, piecing together shards of its past with a more modern approach became a labour of love for the owners.

Capturing both the casual and laidback simplicity of living by the sea, PICO remains connected and grounded in its original and handmade origins. Through a meticulous and considered overlay of natural and subtle textural elements, the spaces within are modest and layered with unexpected character. Wanting to remain authentic to the narrative of its era and acknowledge its previous custodians, the existing volumes and sense of scale are maintained and opened up to create a more flowing internal experience that also outwardly connects to the garden.

By framing views and creating a balance between indoor and outdoor realms, the warmth of the interior feels cocooning. The use of timber throughout softens the spaces and adds depth. This element, together with natural stone, also weaves a sense of longevity into the joinery, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom areas. Whilst the home is visually connected through a deliberate material selection, nature is also present throughout. As her own signature style, Georgina integrates crafted gestures, adding personal expression and overlaying a handmade element. Through collaborations with artisans, skilled joiners and metalworkers, one-of-a-kind pieces and moments are dotted throughout the home, leaving a distinct mark in the process.

As her own signature style, Georgina integrates crafted gestures, adding personal expression and overlaying a handmade element.

Through a combination of creativity and craft, PICO becomes a love letter to Lorne. As their chosen place to transform and call home, Georgina and Troy have allowed the site to reach its full potential through a balance of past and present features, creating a distinguished and lasting residence for the chapters ahead.