Mosey On Location: Picket House

Mosey on Location takes us inside the homes and spaces that inspire our shoots. For our latest collection, we spent the day at Picket House - a lovingly renovated coastal cottage on Victoria’s Surf Coast. Designed and built by its owners as a true labour of love, the home blends original charm with thoughtful, light-filled extensions, natural materials and a palette drawn straight from its surroundings. In this edition, we chat to Shelby, one half of the couple behind the project, about renovating their first home, designing with light and landscape in mind, and creating a space that invites you to slow down and settle in.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your hubby – are you serial builders/renovators? Was this your first project?

Myself (28F, Content Producer) and my partner (32M, Carpenter) have spent the last 2 years renovating a beach shack on Victoria’s Surf Coast. It was our first project together, but the sense of fulfilment we gained from the experience has us excited to take on another renovation down the track.

Can you tell us the story of Picket House...what first drew you and your husband to it, and what it was like when you originally found it?

While the house was a tired weatherboard cottage when we first found it, it always had an undeniable sense of character and charm. From the white picket fence out front to the high-pitched, timber-panelled bedrooms, we were drawn to its unique details and relaxed coastal feel.

The original view of the weatherboard from the side.

What sparked the decision to renovate rather than start fresh or leave it as-is?

The decision to renovate came out of necessity really, the bathrooms were beginning to deteriorate, and the kitchen no longer suited the way we lived. As the house is situated on a generous block, it offered the freedom to extend, allowing us to maximise ocean views, create a larger kitchen/living area and additional bedrooms that could grow with us over time. Throughout the process, preserving the home’s original aesthetic was important, especially from the outside. Externally, the front of the house has had new weatherboards and a new picket fence, and the original two front bedrooms remained the same.

The original bathrooms weren't functional and needed to be ripped out

How would you describe the scale of the renovation? Were there moments where the project grew beyond the original plan?

This home has been our biggest labour of love, it’s a project we designed and built with our own hands, from the early planning stages through to the final touches, we did almost everything ourselves, pouring countless hours into the build. Given the house is set on a sloping block, this came with some additional challenges. An immense amount of work went into the ground works, spending 3 months excavating and preparing for extension slabs.

What were your biggest inspirations during the renovation—architectural references, travel, past homes, or even a feeling you wanted the house to have?

The inspiration came from our surroundings: muted coastal tones, the relaxed pace of life, and our shared love for natural materials. We wanted the home to feel grounding and inviting, somewhere we could slow down, share a coffee on the deck, and enjoy the small rituals that make up our days.

Our goal was to create a home that felt calm, textural and connected to the landscape. The palette is earthy and tonal, with olive greens, sandy neutrals and natural timber throughout. Natural light was also a huge focus for us, and it completely transforms the mood of the space throughout the day. We used skylights and large windows to draw in light and frame views of the trees and ocean beyond.

Naturally, as we have both spent a lot of time travelling, the places we’ve visited and loved, became a natural reference and source of inspiration throughout the design of the home.

The downstairs hall and powder room

Were there any original details of the house you were determined to preserve or reinterpret?

Having fallen in love with the façade of the house, we retained the front of the house and introduced a clear architectural distinction where old and new come together.

What part of the renovation proved to be the most challenging—or the most surprising?

It was equal parts challenging and rewarding, but being so hands-on has given us a deeper appreciation for every corner of the house. This home is deeply personal to us, it represents creativity, hard work, and a love of building something from the ground up. We’ve poured ourselves into every decision, big and small and while the process required sacrifice, the end result made it entirely worthwhile.

Is there a space or detail in Picket House that feels especially meaningful to you now? Why?

The kitchen was always the most important space for us to get right. We worked with a friend of ours Darcy Featherby, a high-end furniture maker, to design a kitchen that is both beautiful and highly functional. Darcy is an absolute master of woodwork and he hand-made key elements with extraordinary care and attention to detail, elevating the space and giving it a truly special quality. I’m unsure how we will ever beat this kitchen; we really love it.The Kitchen: before and after

Did the renovation change the way you live in or use the house day-to-day?

The renovation has encouraged us to slow down, making everyday life feel more relaxed and enjoyable. The extended kitchen, living spaces and deck have naturally become the heart of the home, where we now spend most of our time. We’re entertaining far more than we ever did before, and more than anything, we’re simply content being at home.

Are there any interesting, funny, or unexpected stories that came out of the renovation process, or something about the house that most people wouldn’t know?

As much as we could, we tried to design the house around the way the light moves throughout the day. From small window placements to the orientation of the living spaces, many of the design decisions were made to capture soft morning light and golden afternoon sun, creating a home that subtly changes in mood from one moment to the next.

If Picket House had a personality or a mood, how would you describe it today?

Picket House feels like the quietly confident, laid-back but fun friend. It’s a home that encourages you to slow down, gather, and truly settle in. It’s equal parts character-filled and considered, balancing its original charm with a sense of lightness and ease.

Book your next getaway at Picket House here