A Bright + Happy Family Beach House

Tulip chairs bought off Facebook Marketplace. Framed Journey of Something puzzle on rear wall. Framed artwork on right wall by Hola. Small green cushion made by Kate. Remaining cushions by Castle. Sage and Clare rug. Castle framed Love Art tea towel. Castle striped blanket. Framed bus signs by London Bus Blinds and Signs. Heico pineapple lamp. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Ikea coffee table. Tulip chairs bought off Facebook Marketplace. Framed Journey of Something puzzle on rear wall. Framed artwork on right wall by Hola. Small green cushion made by Kate. Remaining cushions by Castle. Sage and Clare rug. Castle framed Love Art tea towel. Castle striped blanket. Framed bus signs by London Bus Blinds and Signs. Heico pineapple lamp. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Kate Jansen at her Mount Martha home. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Large painting by Kate Jansen for Wowhaus. Small painting on right by Nadia Düsselberg. Cross by Jai Vasicek. Pot by Mimo Pots. Coastal Living Sorrento chair. Castle cushion and paper sculpture. Adairs pink sheepskin. Dulux Vivid White walls Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Large painting by Kate Jansen for Wowhaus. Small painting on right by Nadia Düsselberg. Cross by Jai Vasicek. Pot by Mimo Pots. Coastal Living Sorrento chair. Castle cushion and paper sculpture. Adairs pink sheepskin. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

HKliving striped blanket. Weave by Kate Jansen. Woven basket (used as a pot) from The Colour English. Green vintage tin from The Vintage Shed. Ikea bookshelf. Castle cushion. Sage and Clare rug. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Tulip chairs bought off Facebook Marketplace and covered in a velour orange fabric. Framed Journey of Something puzzle on rear wall. Heico pineapple lamp. HKliving fabric lamp shade. Love Moroccan Rugs rug. Ikea shelves. Jai Vasicek bowl. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Woven artwork by JAC.weave. Tulip chairs bought off Facebook Marketplace and covered in a velour orange fabric. Framed Journey of Something puzzle on rear wall. Heico pineapple lamp. HKliving fabric lamp shade. Ikea shelves. Jai Vasicek bowl. Mr Kitly pot. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Love Moroccan Rugs rug. Artwork on right wall by Cameron Forsyth. Bar stools from The Vintage Shed. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Anna Cole painting. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Love Moroccan Rugs rug. Bar stools from The Vintage Shed. Dulux Vivid White walls. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Pony Rider framed tea towel. Castle bedding and check cushion. Kartell side table. Ikea chair. Bunnings pot. Adairs vase. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Mustard Made locker. Georgie Wilson framed print. Chair from The Vintage Shed. Sage and Clare towel. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Jake’s bedroom. Mustard Made locker. Screenprinted cushion made by Kate. Minecraft ghast model made by Kate. Minecraft print and portrait created by Jake. Society of Wanderers quilt. Ikea large green cushion. Castle doona cover and pillowcase. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

A climbing ficus was removed from the home exterior. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Kate’s own home studio. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

The converted garage is where Kate creates her colourful Palm Springs-inspired paintings under the name Wowhaus. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Artificial grass was installed for a low maintenance lawn. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

How Kate and Deon Jansen discovered their Mount Martha home is one of those ‘meant to be’ stories.

The artist and owner of cafe Ad Hoc Mount Eliza respectively weren’t looking for a new home, but a property listing caught their eye.

They contacted the agent, who had coincidentally visited their own home in the past for an appraisal. Based on their style, he recommended an even better home that was yet to hit the market. ‘He thought it would be even more perfect!’ says Kate.

The agent’s instincts were spot on. ‘As soon as I walked through the front gate under the arch of the beautiful trimmed conifer hedge and down the pathway to the front door, I felt excited — a feeling I had [only] felt twice before, when I had walked into our two previous homes,’ Kate says. ‘This felt even stronger!’

The ‘70s or ‘80s brick home had been heavily renovated over time, including many DIY jobs, and the addition of a weatherboard extension.

The family had just five weeks between purchasing before moving in, providing enough time for a quick yet comprehensive cosmetic makeover. ‘As soon as I received the keys, I rolled up my sleeves and began sanding all the floors back as they were a mid-brown finish,’ Kate says.

Tired walls and ceilings were refreshed with Dulux Vivid White, carpets were replaced, and all three bathrooms were retiled. Kate also converted the garage into her home studio, where she creates her colourful Palm Springs-inspired paintings under the name Wowhaus.

Modernist influences are further reflected in the home’s mid-century furniture. Kate has collected these pieces over many years, including a Pedestal table she bought in the UK, which was recently united with four matching chairs from Facebook Marketplace! ‘Finally I found four in Brunswick [and] recovered the cushions with a velour orange fabric,’ she says.

While the bones of this house are almost entirely white, it is undoubtedly a colour lover’s home. Kate has introduced vibrant shades of mustard and pink across the rugs, cushions and books, as well as filling every room in the house with an eclectic collection of artwork. Jake’s bedroom has its own design identity, featuring a quarter wall of Dulux Picturebook Green.

Four years on, Kate and Deon couldn’t be more content in their cheerful family home. ‘It’s very beachy, very bright, and a beautiful space to come home to and entertain in,’ Kate says. ‘It’s a happy house.’