My Houzz: A Summer Beach Cottage Christmas
A home stylist gets creative for her young family’s seaside-themed Australian Christmas
Growing up in the seaside town of Mount Martha on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula, Mardi Mason loved her summers (and Christmases) by the beach. After spending most of her adult life in the nearby city of Melbourne, she knew that one day she would return to the peninsula with a family of her own so that her children could experience the same idyllic lifestyle.
It was close to Christmas in 2013 when she and her husband, Brett, saw this quaint, original 1930s beach cottage advertised for sale in Mount Martha. With their minds buzzing with renovation ideas, they negotiated to make the home their own. When they moved in, though, the couple realized that it was actually in the perfect condition for a family with young children, and they put renovation plans on hold while they let themselves simply enjoy their home’s rustic charms with their growing brood.
It was close to Christmas in 2013 when she and her husband, Brett, saw this quaint, original 1930s beach cottage advertised for sale in Mount Martha. With their minds buzzing with renovation ideas, they negotiated to make the home their own. When they moved in, though, the couple realized that it was actually in the perfect condition for a family with young children, and they put renovation plans on hold while they let themselves simply enjoy their home’s rustic charms with their growing brood.
Mardi made the Christmas wreath on the front door using eucalyptus and recycled materials.
“The house was beautiful and bright and had so much character,” Mardi says of her first impressions when walking into the home. Large skylights in the entrance hall and living area create the flood of natural light that visually lifts the space.
As a talented interior stylist, Mardi’s work is reflected throughout her home.
“Since becoming a stylist, I have been so influenced by [Australian stylist] Megan Morton,” Mardi says. “Her philosophy is that the best stylists don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything.”
“Since becoming a stylist, I have been so influenced by [Australian stylist] Megan Morton,” Mardi says. “Her philosophy is that the best stylists don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything.”
One of Mardi’s most treasured items is this Merry Christmas sign, which was originally her grandma’s slate writing board from her school days.
“My mum has always had a knack for collecting interesting pieces,” Mardi says, “not only from our own family, but also from [antiques and thrift stores], which she definitely passed on to me.” Her favorite local antiques haunt is The Vintage Shed in nearby Tyabb.
“My mum has always had a knack for collecting interesting pieces,” Mardi says, “not only from our own family, but also from [antiques and thrift stores], which she definitely passed on to me.” Her favorite local antiques haunt is The Vintage Shed in nearby Tyabb.
“I love to support my local community by shopping in local stores when I can,” Mardi says. “My absolute favorite store is Greedilulu in Mornington. It is filled with incredible homewares and furniture — I could seriously blow the budget in there every day of the week!”
But Mardi also likes to get making with her own two hands. She made the driftwood coat rack seen here.
But Mardi also likes to get making with her own two hands. She made the driftwood coat rack seen here.
The master bedroom — which is also Max’s bedroom much of the time — is at the front of the house. It features gorgeous views of the serene front garden.
“I like natural materials, colors and textures,” says Mardi of her decorating style. “It keeps the house feeling like a home you can relax in.”
Next door is Max’s actual room. It features fun snakes and ladders bed linen by Goosebumps, one of Mardi’s favorite brands for kids. With its soft gray walls and dinosaur decorations, the room is a true child’s domain.
Bed frame: Made by Ben
For the imminent arrival of their new baby daughter, Mardi created a beautiful and stylish nursery. The room features soft dusty pinks and items from some of Mardi’s favorite local brands for children, such as the dream catcher from Navajo & The Runaway Stray, shoes from Mooi Baby and pillows from Hook + Eye.
For Mardi and Brett, Christmas is a time for family, friends and relaxing. It’s also a chance to be creative with the decorating. “I grew up with a Christmas tree made from gold and silver spray-painted gum tree branches collected from down the paddock with my mum,” recalls Mardi, pictured.
“I love the idea of continuing the tradition of creating an Aussie Christmas tree with Max. So last year, with the help of Grandma, we headed off to our local beach to collect driftwood and make our tree.”
“I love the idea of continuing the tradition of creating an Aussie Christmas tree with Max. So last year, with the help of Grandma, we headed off to our local beach to collect driftwood and make our tree.”
The simplicity of the driftwood tree, and the decorations hanging from it, means that from year to year, it can get a completely different look just by changing the colors.
“Last year, I had a pink theme for Christmas, but this year, I am loving the blues and aquas that remind me of the beach,” Mardi says.
“Last year, I had a pink theme for Christmas, but this year, I am loving the blues and aquas that remind me of the beach,” Mardi says.
Mardi likes her festive gift wrapping to complement the theme of her decor. This year, the kraft paper and burlap wrapping, set off with blue wool accents, match the color palette used throughout the home.
“Brett loves the fireplace in winter, sitting on a big floor cushion with a glass of red,” Mardi says. “But this time of year, it’s my domain as the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations.” The use of driftwood in other decorations, such as the reindeer seen here, adds to the beach-Christmas feel of the home.
Hung on the wall above the fireplace, the creative handmade tree is also very toddler-friendly, with Max unable to reach the decorations to pull them off.
“This year, Max is old enough that he is so excited for Christmas, and it’s great that we can share this relaxed lifestyle with him over this special time of year,” Mardi says.
“This year, Max is old enough that he is so excited for Christmas, and it’s great that we can share this relaxed lifestyle with him over this special time of year,” Mardi says.
“I only try to spend money on classic, timeless pieces that I won’t get sick of,” Mardi says. “Or things that really affect the comfort or functionality of the house, like sofas, beds, dining tables, et cetera.
“Things like cushions, vases, decorator items I like to swap around, as they can change the look of your house in an instant. So I try not to spend too much on those things.”
The original painted floorboards that run through the middle of the home have a great patina and help create a sense of space in the open-plan living and dining area.
“Things like cushions, vases, decorator items I like to swap around, as they can change the look of your house in an instant. So I try not to spend too much on those things.”
The original painted floorboards that run through the middle of the home have a great patina and help create a sense of space in the open-plan living and dining area.
The house is often decorated with hydrangeas, which Mardi gets from her mother’s garden just down the road.
“Horses remind me of my childhood, so when I saw this stunning limited-edition photograph, Wild Horses by stylist and photographer Kara Rosenlund, I knew it had to have a home here,” Mardi says.
The dining table was handmade by talented local furniture maker Made by Ben using pylons salvaged from the old Mornington pier.
The dining table was handmade by talented local furniture maker Made by Ben using pylons salvaged from the old Mornington pier.
“Our home is old and lacks all the mod cons, especially in the kitchen and bathroom areas,” Mardi says. “But it is more than made up for with its homey character, and the more we live here, the more we love it and feel right at home.”
The calico angel perched on the edge of the stove was made by Mardi’s grandmother.
The calico angel perched on the edge of the stove was made by Mardi’s grandmother.
Mismatched jars and bottles collected from vintage stores line the kitchen windowsill and are filled with herbs straight from the herb and veggie garden in the backyard. “Much to Mum’s disgrace, I didn’t inherit her green thumb, so every few weeks, I have to bribe her over with dinner and wine to help me with the garden!” says Mardi, laughing.
Looking out from the sunroom to the backyard, the big double doors are always open during nice weather. This is so that the indoor and outdoor areas can become one, and Max is free to play where he likes.
The addition of an upstairs bedroom, a small downstairs sunroom and an alfresco dining area were changes the previous owners had made to create a larger, more livable space. This new design suits the Masons and their lifestyle perfectly.
Mardi’s favorite spot is the macramé hanging chair on the back deck. “It’s just so peaceful. I love to sit here with my morning coffee, as Max usually lets himself out to play in the backyard first thing,” she says. “It’s also a great chair for us to cuddle and read a story together.”
Macramé chair: Tropicana Imports
Macramé chair: Tropicana Imports
The north-facing, sunlit backyard boasts a giant shed and a four-car garage.
The weathered finish of the garage wall adds to the charm of the home. “When I made the transition from the corporate world to becoming a stylist,” Mardi admits, “initially I thought I had to have new everything to be current and be noticed, or to make my house beautiful. But I soon realized that wasn’t the case at all.”
Small pillow and throw: Hook + Eye; large pillow: Sage and Clare
Small pillow and throw: Hook + Eye; large pillow: Sage and Clare
Mardi’s dad found the old church pew shown here along the garage wall. “It was about to be thrown out, so he grabbed it for me,” she says. The wire wreath was made by the home’s previous owner.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Interior stylist Mardi Mason; her husband, Brett; their 2-year-old son, Max; and a baby girl due to arrive at the end of this month
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia
Size: Four bedrooms, one bathroom
“I knew as soon as we approached the front door that we were going to fall in love with this little cottage,” Mardi says of their first visit to the house. “We were on our way to the beach and decided to drive by for a peek. Coincidentally, the real estate agent was just leaving the property, saw us peering out the car windows and strolled over to see if we would like to take a look inside.”
Although it’s only an hour away from Melbourne, the beach vibe and gravel roads in Mount Martha make the city feel a million miles away. Mardi’s rustic touches, such as this wicker chair and the blackboard heart — which was used at the couple’s wedding — add a welcoming touch to the front porch.