The Style Edit | Picket House

Picket House reflects a thoughtful approach to coastal living, shaped by a love for natural materials, considered details and the beauty of everyday life. Over 18 months, Shelby Clayton and her partner Danny transformed their little beach shack into a warm, considered home that celebrates its original character while embracing the landscape beyond.

| Featuring our Fitzroy Runner in Cream

Picket House has been a true labour of love. Can you tell us about the journey of renovating the original cottage and what first drew you to the property?

My partner Danny and I spent approximately 18 months renovating our little beach shack on Victoria’s Surf Coast. It’s been our biggest labour of love and one of the most rewarding projects we’ve ever taken on. We designed and built the space ourselves from the very early planning stages through to the final details, so we were involved in every decision along the way.

I don’t come from a design background at all. I’m a Senior Producer, so my experience is much more rooted in creative production and bringing ideas to life. Danny is a carpenter, so he brought an incredible wealth of practical knowledge and craftsmanship to the renovation.

In saying this, I really enjoyed the creative process of interiors and bringing spaces to life.

Danny - When I purchased the property, it was very much a traditional beach house that hadn’t been updated since it was originally built. While it was in relatively good condition, we quickly uncovered a lot more issues once we started pulling things apart and getting into the renovation.

What I loved from the beginning was the character of the original cottage and the charm that came with it. We really wanted to retain those elements and build on them rather than completely change what made the property special. But the biggest drawcard was always the view. As we’ve extended and opened up the house, we’ve been able to make much more of it, and seeing that view become such a central part of the home has been one of the best parts of the renovation.



| Featuring our Fitzroy Doormat & Fitzroy Runner Rug

How did you approach the renovation to preserve the cottage’s original character while creating something new?

Being a carpenter, Danny obviously brought a wealth of knowledge to the project. He had a clear sense of what needed to change structurally and what we should try to keep. Our main objective was to preserve the unassuming cottage façade as much as possible, so the extension out back would feel like a nice surprise as you enter.

What was the design vision for Picket House, and how did the surrounding landscape influence the direction you took?

I took the lead on the design side, drawing a lot of inspiration straight from our surroundings. Living so close to the water, I wanted the home to feel like a natural extension of the landscape, pulling on tones, textures and colours close by.

Naturally, there were some changes along the way but mostly, we stuck strong to our original vision.

We did also lean into (where the budget would allow) the use of natural materials. We knew that we wanted warmth of timber throughout the home but especially in the kitchen, as well as the use of handmade tiles through the bathrooms and kitchen.

The material palette feels warm and grounded, with natural textures throughout.
How did you develop the palette, and was there a particular material that became the starting point?

The surrounding landscape was a really big influence on the material and colour palette. We wanted the home to feel connected to its coastal setting, so we naturally gravitated towards earthy, grounded tones that reflected what was outside, timber, sandy neutrals, and softer, colours.

We also wanted the materials to feel tactile and interesting. Rather than relying on lots of different colours, we used texture and natural variation to create depth, things like warm timber, and more organic finishes. I love the way these materials change throughout the day as the light moves through the house.

Definitely the Blackwood timber used in the kitchen was our base for the house.

| Featuring our Alskar Wool and Jute Rug in Wheat 

Picket House feels layered and personal rather than overly styled. 
How have your travels and collected pieces helped shape the home?

For us, a lot of that layered feeling has come from our travels and the places we’ve seen along the way giving us a lot of inspiration.

We’ve tried not to approach the house as something that needed to be completely finished or styled with brand new things all at once. Instead, we’ve chosen pieces that we genuinely love and that have a story behind them. Some things we’ve brought back from our travels, while others are pieces we’ve found locally or have collected over time and I think that is key to creating that feeling within a home - a mix of collected, old and new.

As above - when we have travelled we always try to bring a piece of artwork home, so there is artwork from all over the world. I also have frame a lot of my own travel photography which is really special to see in the house.

Were there any areas where you chose to invest more during the renovation, and how did you balance this with your budget?

Yes, our kitchen was one area where we were happy to spend more, particularly on blackwood veneer, which Darcy our cabinet maker used solid through the curved sections so the grain would match seamlessly, as well as bespoke curved handles.

We splurged a bit on feature lighting and pendants throughout the home, along with handmade tiles in the bathrooms. These are the details that really elevate a space, and we felt they were worth the extra investment to get exactly the look and feel we wanted.


| Featuring our Fitzroy Runner Rug

Natural light plays such an important role in the home. 
How did you design the layout to make the most of the coastal setting and views?

Natural light played a huge role in the design of the home. Because of the coastal setting, we really wanted to maximise the light and create a strong connection between the interior and the outdoors.

When we were planning the renovation, we were very conscious of where we could introduce more light, so we capitalised on it with two skylights, two highlight windows and large, wall-to-wall sliding doors. The sliding doors in particular have made such a difference, not only in terms of light but also in opening the home up to the view and making the space feel much bigger and more connected to its surroundings.




| Featuring our Lavanya Jute Doormat & Fitzroy Runner Rug 

How does the home reflect your lifestyle, and is there a particular space you especially love spending time in?

Yes! We knew how much we enjoy spending time and hosting on the deck in summer, so it was important to have a large deck and also have the indoor/outdoor living flow seamlessly.

For me, it's the upstairs area as a whole. The kitchen has become the heart of the home, and I love being able to take in the view in every season, whether it's a sunny summer's day out on the deck or watching a storm roll across the ocean, it's pure magic.

What do you think makes a home feel genuinely inviting and personal, rather than perfectly styled?

I think a home feels genuinely inviting when it reflects the people who live there rather than feeling too styled or perfect. Following your gut on what you really like in interiors and not being afraid to be bold with some choices makes a home truly personal.


| Featuring our Fitzroy Check Runner & Alskar Wool Jute Rug in Wheat 

Has the renovation changed the way you think about design, particularly the balance between aesthetics and everyday living?

I think the renovation has made us more conscious of designing for how you actually live, rather than simply designing for how you want a space to look. The most successful spaces are often the ones that feel effortless and considered, with a balance between practicality and beauty.

When choosing pieces for your home, what do you look for in terms of quality, craftsmanship and longevity?

I’d approach it by choosing fewer, more considered pieces rather than constantly replacing things as trends change. For us, quality and craftsmanship are really important, I look for natural materials, beautiful finishes and pieces that feel like they’ll age well and become part of the home over time.

Where possible in the renovation, we also tried to keep everything we could as well as source some tiles and other things second hand.

What drew you to the Alskar Wool & Jute Rug in Wheat, and what do you think a rug brings to a space?

The warmth and materiality of the Alskar rug in Wheat is what initially drew me to it.
I loved that it has that beautiful, plush quality that instantly makes a room feel softer and more inviting, while still feeling refined and understated. The warm wheat tone also works so naturally with the earthy, neutral palette in our home.

I think a rug adds a sense of softness and comfort that you can’t really achieve through furniture and finishes alone. It helps to create a feeling of cohesion, while also adding another layer of texture and depth.


| Featuring our Alskar Wool & Jute Rug in Wheat 

Looking back on the renovation, what are you most proud of, and what feeling do you hope people experience when they walk into Picket House?

Looking back at where Picket House began, I think we’re most proud of the fact that we did it together.
So much of the renovation was hands-on, and we took on a huge amount of the work ourselves. It pushed us well outside our comfort zones and challenged us to work harder than we ever had before, but seeing it all come together makes it incredibly rewarding.

And I’m proud that it feels authentic to us. I’ve never wanted Picket House to feel like a perfectly styled showroom, I love that it feels warm, lived-in and personal to us.

I’d want people to feel an immediate sense of calm when they walk into Picket House, seeing the view, the greenery and ocean in the distance, I want everyone to relax and enjoy the space as much as we do.


| Featuring our Fitzroy Check Doormat 

. Alskar Wool & Jute Rug in Wheat by Rugs for Good.
2. Jean Light Shade by Greenhouse Interiors.
3. Everyday Sofa by Eva.
4. Fumar Art Print by Dan Rushford.
5. Coffee Table by Life Interiors.
6. Fitzroy Runner by Rugs for Good.